New York City is unlike any other place on Earth. Manhattan — its bustling core — is what makes it unique. Manhattan is home to everything from hip music venues to the world's most important stock exchanges. It's full of secrets and history, and it's full of people too: more than 1.6 million of them at last count. That is more people than live in 11 of the 50 states (New York City as a whole has over 8.6 million, more people than live in 39 of the 50 states). Needless to say, life in Manhattan can be hectic. It's no surprise, then, that there is one way in which Manhattan is not unique. Just like everywhere else in the United States, it sees high rates of anxiety disorders, depression, and other mental health struggles.

Anxiety, depression, and the Big City

Virtually everyone deals with emotions such as sadness and anxiety. But, in some cases, problems with anxiety or depression can reach clinical levels that are disruptive to everyday life. Anxiety is a particularly common problem. Some studies peg the number of people with anxiety in the United States at nearly one in five.

Anxiety is common to begin with and experts agree that struggles with intense anxiety can be worsened or revealed by certain triggers. Those triggers include hectic and stressful moments. Unfortunately, residents of Manhattan have plenty of ways to find stress in the Big City. Barely missing that subway train or trying to fight your way through a crowded supermarket can make existing anxiety issues worse. Urban life has a real effect on the mind, and it's not always a good one.

Depression, too, has its triggers. People struggling with depression can find their condition triggered and worsened by things such as the winter, loss, loneliness, and isolation. A big city like New York City can be isolating and anonymizing in some ways, so it's no surprise that some experts consider urban life to be a threat to mental health on this front, too.

Seeking help for your mental health in Manhattan

If you live in Manhattan, and especially if you struggle with mental health issues, you should consider reaching out to a mental health professional to seek expert diagnosis and treatment. A therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist can do a lot to help you grapple with the realities of urban life. Talk therapy will give you the vocabulary and insights that you need to fully understand yourself and your own mental health issues and needs. It will also arm you with the coping strategies that you need to address those issues and live the most fulfilling possible life here in Manhattan.

Your Manhattan therapy options are rich, thanks to the world-class mental health professionals who call our city home. Start with an online search, work with your primary care provider to get a referral, or reach out to your health insurance provider to find options that are within your network. Therapy can be affordable when you work with your insurance to make sure that you're covered. Be sure to understand your out-of-network benefits when it comes to mental health care in Manhattan as well. The top therapists in Manhattan are not in-network, but you can still use your out-of-network benefits to see them if your policy has them.

It's also a good idea to speak with friends and family members about therapists and other mental health professionals. You may get a great recommendation from a trusted loved one. Online reviews are another helpful option — look for sites that specialize in health care reviews.

When you sit down for your first meeting with your therapist, don't be afraid to ask questions about their schools of thought and treatment methodology. You'll get a sense of how they intend to approach your issues and what sorts of treatment options you'll have.

Anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues exist all over the country, but dealing with them in Manhattan can be especially tough. Get an expert in your corner, and live a better life!